Tip for cigarettes



'Jan. 4, 1938. s V 2,104,329

TIP FOR CIGARETTES Filed Feb. 15, 1957 Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention refers to cigarettes and more particularly to the mouth-end used on the shell of same. It has, among its objects, to provide a cigarette with a mouth-end that is cool to the mouth, moisture and saliva proof, substantially stiff, and free from tobacco contamination. Other objects will become apparent as the invention is more fully set forth.

The conventional type of cigarette has a thin paper shell throughout its whole length for holding the tobacco grains in position for smoking purposes. This, of course, does not arrange either end portion for use specifically for insertion in the mouth of the user. The thin paper readily absorbs moisture from the mouth of the user, allowing same to mix with the tobacco grains and dissolve its nicotine, etc. and eventually cause stains on the lips and teeth of the smoker. The paper mouth-piece also breaks down, permitting the tobacco to come out and straggle, spoiling the use and looks of the cigarette.

In this invention, the mouth-end of the cigarette is specifically set, and provided with a special encasement of cellophanic sheet. This encwement is waterproof and saliva-proof; fire-proof or non-burning; non-absorbing and strong, and cool and agreeable to the lips or mouth of the user. It is transparent and therefore does not change the general appearance of the shell, except to improve same. It does not have the conspicuous appearance of the cork-tip cigarette, which shows up because of its yellow woody appearance, or in any way makes itself objectionable. This arrangement provides a non-absorbent mouth-piece, substantial to hold, but not rigid and hard like a cigarette holder, and with other special features which are noted herein. The mouth-end is made to extend about onethird the length of the shell, and divided into two sections, one of which may be removed when reached by the burning cigarette. The purpose of this section is to strengthen the shell and also keep the shell from being pressed unnecessarily and lessen the chances of staining or burning the user's fingers. The material may also be colored in manufacture, if such should be desirable, in such a way as to make the coloring integral with the material, thereby preventing same from coloring the skin of the user. This feature is not feasible with paper. The encasement may be attached to the shell in any suitable manner, and when in place serves to so strengthen the shell as to permit it to be packed without distortion in the package. The shells of plain cigarettes become pressed into ovals or other forms, transversely, in the usual course of packing which detracts from their appearance. The encasement is also of a nature that permits it to be wiped clean, if desired by the smoker, which of course, is not practical with shells without it.

In the drawing, which illustrates an embodiment of this invention:-

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a cigarette embodying this invention.

Figure-2 is a sectional view through the cigarette taken longitudinally.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of the mouth-end encasement of the cigarette, removed from the .shell of the cigarette.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawing.

In the construction shown i represents the conventional thin paper shell of a cigarette with tobacco 2 or the like, packed or rolled in it. A mouth-end encasement 3 is mounted on one end portion of same as indicated, and secured to the shell with cement, glue or other suitable conventional way. It is preferably thinner than the paper shell material, but stronger and made of cellophanic material of a non-burning nature. The encasement is divided into two sections it and 23 forming the mouth-guard and body-brace respectively. Normally, the sections are held together, but a series of perforations or indentations t enable them to be torn from each other. Other perforations or indentations M are provided to permit the body brace section 23 being ripped open and unwrapped off the shell. This is facilitated by having a flap 5 cut out and allowed to project slightly above the cigarette. The bodybrace section 23 is preferably not cemented to the shell 0 in order that it may be readily unwrapped as described.

As the cigarette is smoked, the shell and tobacco are burned down to the line 6 where the body-brace 23 ends. At that point the smoker tears off the portion 23, and allows the cigarette to be smoked to the line l where the perforation or indentation limit is. By having the bodybrace section over the cigarette, the shell I is strengthened, and also provides a casing which can be held in the fingers without danger of staining orburning. The smooth surface of the cellophanic material is also more comfortable to the touch than that of the comparatively rough cigarette paper used for the shell. If the cigarette is laid down while burning, its burning is restricted after reaching the line 6 and is less liable to cause fire. Even ifit should continue to burn, the non-burning encasement is a great safethis encasement secured at its section It, become quasi-integral with the shell I. The thinness of the cellophanic material produces no appreciable difference in the diameter of the cigarette, but it does greatly strengthen and stiiien it. It looks the same, because the transparency oi the material allows the whiteness of the cigarette shell to show clearly through, although the smoothness of the material gives it a more iinished" appearance. The smoker, is not, therefore, disturbed about the appearance of the cigarette, nor is his method of using the same different. It is, however, more agreeable to the touch in his hand and mouth. The taste of tobacco is kept from displeasing him, and the functionoi smoking becomes the main feature of the use of the cigarette. The diflerence of the materials produces a similar improvement in the comfort of the mouth, as the use of a metal spoon does over a wooden one. The user holds and uses the cigarette similarly to that of the conventional kind and avoids any radical change of habit in such routine or practice which would otherwise tend to deter him from adopting the improved cigarette. These features are particularly important to the average smoker and have a strong bearing in influencing him to adopt a modified form of cigarette container, no matter what its intrinsic advantages might otherwise appear to be. After its use in the original form generally referred to in this application, has become substantially adopted, slight modifications can be made from time to time as a permissable evolution of the form to suit the demand created or induced. Cellophanic material is that type of cellulosic material that is forced into thin flexible sheets, in its limited sense, but in the broader interpretation is intended to include those similar sheets of similar material having bases in casein, bakelite, etc. having similar characteristics as those outlined in this application.

While but one form of the invention is indicated in the drawing. it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form otherwise than limited by the prior art, as it is appreciated that other forms could be made that would employ the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigarette, the combination of a shell and a mouth-end encasement attached to the shell and having a portion tearably and removably connected thereto, said mouth-end encasement being of flexible and non-burning material and disposed within the limits of the length of the said shell.

2. In combination with a cigarette shell, a mouth-end encasement having perforations thereon to divide it into a plurality of sections, a

, portion of the encasement being securely held to the shell and another portion-free to be tearably disconnected therefrom, said encasement being disposed on the mouth-end of theshell and within the longitudinal limits of the same.

3. In combination with a cigarette shell, a mouth-end encasement of cellophanic material secured to the exterior surface of the shell for providing a protective covering on the shell on the portion thereof normally in engagement with the lips and fingers of the user, and said encasement having a plurality of perforations for weakening sections of the same to permit tearable disconnection of same from each other.

SIDNEY H. LEVY. 

